18/07/2011

During this year’s edition of the TWO RIVERSIDES film festival there will be a review of the work by one of the most outstanding people of cinema – Roberto Rossellini.

Mr Rossellini,
I have seen your movies “Rome, Open City” and “Paisà,“ and I am fascinated by them. If you are looking for a Swedish actress who speaks very good English, has not yet forgotten German, does not speak French fluently and can only say “I love you” in Italian, then I am ready to come to Italy to work with you.

Ingrid Bergman

Such a letter – 7th May 1948 – started the passionate acquaintance of one of the greatest post-war actresses, Ingrid Bergman, with Roberto Rossellini, a prominent director, co-creator of Italian neorealism. Bergman, already famous for “Casablanca,” by entering the life of 40-year-old Rossellini and his then muse Anna Magnani, caused a scandal on both sides of the ocean.

The films presented during the TWO RIVERSIDES Film and Art Festival in the Viaggio In Italia – Journey to Italy cycle, are a measure of talent for each of the triangle’s members. A configuration of love and hatred at the same time. They are also an artistic duel between two legendary actresses, Anna Magnani and Ingrid Bergman.

The cycle is enriched by a special presentation of a remastered version of a Rossellini film that is not well known in Poland, “La Macchina Ammazzacattivi,” the new version of which premiered during this year’s festival in Cannes.